November 2, 2007
Bernal Heights Burrowing Owl In Danger?
We got word today from an anonymous source that two residents of Bernal Heights -- including a former President of Golden Gate Audubon Society -- spotted a burrowing owl a block from their house on the southeastern side of the hill. The (sub?)species was confirmed by another Audubon-er.
So, why does this matter? Because at the moment there is construction going on in the same area (i.e., landscaping improvements such as steps, etcetera) where the owl is kicking it. According to Wikipedia, for what it's worth, "[t]he burrowing owl is endangered in Canada, threatened in Mexico, and a species of special concern in Florida and most of the western USA." ("Species of special concern." Aw.) Burrowing owls usually live in ground squirrel holes, according to our source, but so far the bird has been reported up on the Hill, in a tree for the last couple of days.
We talked to the former Audubon president today about the birdie finding, and the Bernal resident wants to know more. To find out if an environmental-impact report was done on the area before current construction, they tried calling the Mayor's office, 311, Tom Ammiano's office, and the City Attorney's office. So far, no one has returned any calls. They also discussed the issue with various fish and game associations, with not much luck there either.
If any of you have further info, we're sure that she (as well as the GG Audubon Society) would love to hear from you, readers. (Also, no little baby kittens better get hurt with this construction, damnit! Kitty cats = sheer darlingness.)
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I am sure the homeowners will appreciate having $300,000 added to the cost of their landscaping project.
Now that these guys are gone ("San Francisco's Department of Building Inspection has a history of accusations of cronyism and corruption."), who does one bribe now to take of this kind of thing?
You know that Johnny Werzner kid - the kid who delivers papers in the neighborhood? He's a fine kid. Some of the neighbors say he smokes crack, but I don't believe it. Anyway, for his 10th birthday, all he wanted was a burrow owl, just like his old man. "Dad, get me a burrow owl. I'll never ask for anything else as long as I live". So the guy breaks down and buys him a burrow owl. Anyway at 10:30 the other night I go out into my yard and there's the Werzner kid looking up in the tree. I said, "What are you looking for?" He said, "I'm looking for my burrow owl." I say, "Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick! Everybody knows that a
burrow owl lives in a hole in the ground! Why the hell do you think they call it a burrow owl, anyway?!"
Ha ha, my s.o. just quoted the whole above Dead Milkmen reference when I told him about the Burrowing Owl. He won't stop.
I hope the owl finds a hole to burrow in, if that what he's seeking. It's a beautiful bird. The wings look ginormous.